Death to the Dragons in the Inquisition!
- Sneaky Mage
- Oct 31, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: Mar 7
Here there be dragons! Proceed at your own peril.
Now, with that out of the way.... Let me share some basic (but quite useful) survival tips and tricks for dragon encounters in Inquisition. I know this is not exactly new information as the game has been out for 10 years now, and there are over a dozen other sites with detail strategies and all that. But! If you just want the basics as in a quick refresher, or just are bored and waxing the good old nostalgic. I promise this will be worth your time.
Please note, that you can hunt dragons or not – it's completely arbitrary. But it's also true that our giant lizardry friends give you the strongest raw materials and the best loot of all possible opponents in this game (well, the loot part can be debated. Crafting your own weapons and armour wins every time. A fine tip to start with).
Please note that I am not the hand holding type, but I am all up for positive reinforcement and moral support. Read these tips and you might just not die. Immediately. On the bright side, it's just a game, so reload and let the fun begin again. You can do it 😉! (See? Moral support right there!)
The basic rules of dragon fighting in Inquisition here are:
Stay away from their head.
Use elements contrary to their main element (meaning if it’s a Fire Dragon, use lightning and winter attacks).
In case of any offspring – ignore the dragon and avoid its attacks. Kill those little %&($) first!
When it starts to flap its wings and create a vortex get the whole group under its belly. When the attack stops just move your companions out of the way, so they don't get crushed.
Keep all close-range characters (warriors/dual wielding rogues/Knight Enchanter mages aka Vivienne or you, if you choose this specialisation…do it! It's fun!) under the dragon and spank the living daylights out of their limbs, just be careful to retract before the dragon kicks you into the next age.
Keep all your long-range characters (archers and the rest of the mages) out of the way. Except for when it starts to flap its wings…see second tip.
Bring lots and lots of healing potions or/and (and is better!) have your at least your go-to character equipped with Regeneration potion (go-to meaning the one who can survive the most and you're most comfortable playing with in case your inquisitor gets killed).
Have at least one DPS character equipped with a weapon that does guard damage, as some dragons have that ability also... to spice things up a bit.
Rinse and repeat until the dragon gives up and dies.
RIP
See that was very short, wasn’t it?
But if you want a little bit more details… on to the dragons:
Here I’ll share the basics, such as the level in which I recommend you tackle each dragon (if you don't want to be eaten or crushed immediately, that is), which general area they can be found (no, I don't mean to give you detailed locations, because most of the time they're not hard to find and exploring these areas is part of the fun, right? Exploration and stuff! Wii!) type of the dragon and the only important tip you might wish to know beforehand.
Ferelden Frostback
Location: Hinterlands
Level: level 12
Type: Fire Dragon (Fire Resistant)
Tip: Beware of her puppies. They come in waves. It's also possible to beat her when you're level 9. But it's generally easier if you're only 2 levels below a certain boss/dragon.
Northern Hunter
Location: Crestwood (accessible only after you complete the main mission)
Level: level 13 – 14
Type: Electric Dragon
Tip: These type of dragons can create electrical storms, so when you see a purple circle on the ground around you – run away. Also don’t stand in the water… in case it needs to be said.
Abyssal High Dragon
Location: Western Approach (accessible only if you start a side quest - The Abyssal High Dragon. Hint: Look for Frederic)
Level: level 14 - 15
Type: Fire Dragon
Tip: Pretty much the same as the Ferelden Frostback, except for the waves of dragonlings. She doesn’t have them. Thank the Maker for dragons that don’t procreate, am I right? She does however have that pesky guard ability. Equip accordingly.
Gamordan Stormrider
Location: Exalted Plains (accessible only when you open access to its location. Hint: use the War Table)
Level: level 15-16
Type: Electric Dragon
Tip: Do not stand in the water when it’s vomiting electricity. Same goes for the whole group. Be careful because there is always that one silly little companion who wants to stand right in the middle of the puddle when the lightning starts to whizz around.
Greater Mistral
Location: Emerald Graves
Level: level 17- 18
Type: Snow Dragon
Tip: This one is not hard to find, and you don't need any special instructions other than to use fire and lightning, as it is impervious to snow…being a Snow Dragon and all that…
Vinsomer
Location: Storm Coast (accessible only after you open access to its location. Hint: Red lyrium side quest from Varric)
Level: level 19
Tip: Electric Dragon
Type: You'll meet this one relatively soon after you enter the area, but it's accessible only after you open the path to it via the War-Table and that side quest I have already mentioned.
Sandy Howler
Location: Hissing Wastes (this one is extremely well hidden, guarding Fariel's tomb).
Level: level 20
Type: Fire Dragon
Tip: You can find this beauty at the top right corner of the map. Please be warned: it has babies.
If you want to open the tomb it’s guarding however, you must collect all the artifacts scattered throughout the tombs in the area. An optional quest.
The last three are in the Emprise du Lion next to each other (in the old colosseums), but you have to gain access to them via the War Table and Cullen's henchmen.
Hivernal
Level: level 19
Type: Snow Dragon
Tip: This one is the easiest of the three. If you've managed to defeat all the dragons on the list to this point, you won't have any problem with it.
Kaltenzahn
Level: level 21
Type: Snow Dragon
Tip: Snow. Again. Just beware of its offspring. They are a little bit harder to get rid of compared to the rest.
Highland Ravager
Level: level 23
Type: Fire Dragon
Tip: Beware of its babies. Again. However, if you've defeated all the dragons so far, you won't have too much trouble with this one either. Nevertheless, be prepared for a lengthy and tense battle.
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